Government warns Brits to be ready for blackouts and chaos – here’s what it’ll actually cost you to prepare

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The UK government has stepped up its guidance on emergency planning – and it’s a sign of the times. Whether it’s power cuts, cyber attacks, water outages or severe storms, households are now being urged to prepare for at least 72 hours without outside help.

Their latest advice includes a 17-item emergency kit list, covering everything from lighting and power to food, hygiene, baby supplies and first aid. It’s designed to help you stay safe and self-sufficient during events like blackouts, floods or even evacuations.

So how much would it really cost to follow that advice? We’ve taken the official emergency supplies checklist and sourced every item on Amazon UK – from a wind-up torch to baby formula. The goal? To find out exactly what you’d need, and how much you’d be spending if you built your full kit online today.

The advice isn’t just about staying indoors. You could be stuck at home without water or power, or you might be told to evacuate at short notice. That’s why government guidance suggests keeping core items in a central, easy-to-access place – and having a separate ‘grab bag’ of essentials packed for leaving quickly.

And the urgency isn’t hypothetical. A mystery power cut across Spain and Portugal recently left homes without internet, phones, and even radio access – prompting panic and confusion as people tried to piece together what was going on. In the UK, a cyber attack on Marks & Spencer showed how quickly digital systems can fail, and a fire at Heathrow disrupted key infrastructure in minutes.

We’ve broken down the full 72-hour emergency kit item by item, using live Amazon UK prices – and the total might make you think twice about putting it off.

Light and power

• The Sealey AK3305 wind-up torch is a no-fuss rechargeable light source that doesn’t need batteries – £9.49

• The INIU 10000mAh power bank will charge phones and tablets and even includes a built-in torch – £14.99

• The Rychi wind-up radio offers AM/FM radio, a crank handle, a solar panel, dual USB phone charging, and an integrated 8000mAh battery with flashlight and SOS alarm – £41.99. 

• A pack of Duracell AA and AAA batteries (24 total) will keep torches, radios and small devices powered – £18.96

• The EASYLONGER 24000mAh CPAP battery works with many medical devices and includes USB and DC outputs – £99.99 

Basic medical supplies

• The General Medi 220-piece first aid kit includes plasters, antiseptic, bandages, tape, gloves and tweezers – £19.99

• HandSafe 500ml sanitiser gel kills 99.9% of bacteria and contains 70% alcohol – £4.70

• Comfy Life adult wet wipes (80 pack) are useful when the water is off – £8.75

Food and water

• A pack of 72 x 500ml bottled waters from Amazon’s own brand – enough for drinking and basic hygiene – £13.50

• Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup (12 cans) is long-life, ready to eat and vegetarian friendly – £9.02

• The Lychico 3-in-1 tin opener also opens bottles and jar lids – £5.90

• Pedigree Mixed Selection dog food pouches (40 pack) will help keep your pets fed – £11.24

Babies and children

• Mama Bear Ultra Dry nappies, Size 4 (168 pack) are affordable and absorbent – £18.34

• Huggies Pure Wipes (18 packs, 1008 wipes) are gentle and skin-safe – £12.82

• Cow & Gate First Infant Milk, 200ml x 12 is a ready-to-feed formula ideal for when boiling water isn’t an option – £14.04

Total cost for all items: £308.77

That includes light, power, first aid, hygiene, food, water and baby essentials – everything you might need if you’re wondering what to buy for a power cut or three-day emergency. While you don’t need to get everything at once, even adding one or two of these to your next Amazon order can help make sure you’re prepared when the unexpected hits.